Socks

In my previous dispatch from the traumatic home-hunting frontline, where regiments of estate agents fire broadsides of scorn at our hilarious budget-to-square-footage aspirations, I detailed how one such know-it-all had been forced to tell us – just as we were about to enter – why the house was unsellable, due to the all-pervasive stench of chemicals from the dry cleaner down below. Needless to say, we weren't inordinately tempted.

The shows taking place in Paris at the moment are exercises in idealism, showcasing each designer's dream woman, head to toe in looks made for her, and styled just so according to that creative vision.

Comic-book capers abound on the big screen, but MAC has being doing good work on bringing them to the beauty counter, too. The cosmetics brand’s latest limited-edition collection is inspired by the characters of Archie comics. Two contrasting colour stories are inspired by the bubbly girl-next-door Betty and vampy rich girl Veronica.